Retinoic Acid in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

We conducted a clinical trial of 0.05% alcoholic solution of retinoic acid (Vitamin A acid) used topically in 44 cases of acne vulgarism Follow up examinations were done for a minimum of 8 weeks. Maximum age group was in the second decade (39%) of life. Good to excellent results were obtained in 77% of the cases. Side effects were seen in only four cases viz. hyperpigmentation-2 cases, excessive facial oiliness I case, and skin irritations case, and were of -not much consequence to the patient 0.05% alcoholic solution of retinoic acid is virtually an excellent topical therapeutic remedy for early comnedone stage of acne vulgarism. The drug is well accepted by the patients and has an advantage of excluding systemic toxicity of vitamin A. Among the topical keratolytics used in acne, retinoic acid, in our experience, is by far the best.